HELP !! WHICH LUND ???

[ajt]

The more I read the less I know and the more confused I get. I know I want a Lund tiller but I'm looking for some advice as to which one.There is only one dealer close by and tillers aren't very popular around here so it's hard to see anything.I currently have a 14 ft tiller with 25 hp and am ready for a new boat. The majority of the time it's just the wife and myself or me alone. We generally fish two lakes that are each about 40 miles long and can get pretty choppy in the wind. Sometimes we hit a few small local lakes and occasionally I'd like to hit Lake Ontario or the Saint Lawrence River.(with appropriate precautions)I'm also good for a week a year for a trip to Canada and we usually fish bigger water.We trailer the boat to whatever lake we fish(usually a pretty good drive)and fish for a little of everything.We still fish,troll a fair amount,etc. for walleye,landlocked salmon,pike, downriggers for lake trout,smallmouths... I've been considering the 20 ft Alaskan, 17 ft Angler or 1650 Explorer. Whatever I get I'll max it out with a 4 stroke. Any advice is appreciated. Sorry for the long post but I respect the collective knowledge out there and appreciate your advice. Thanks!

[Nitecrawler]

ajt, I have been running a 1775 Pro V tiller for two years.
Me and the wife hit many inland lakes and rivers in early spring.
Then we head to Sturgeon Bay for Smallmouth. This is big water.
On to Canada and back for more. We fish many species. I don't have down riggers on my rig. I run a 60hp merc, 9.9 tiller. Very stable ride. I like the room tillers give and this rig is wide. Hope this helps? Nice to hear from other tiller owners!

[Fred_G]

I have a 2001 Lund Angler 1700 tiller with a 75 hp Merc 4 stroke. I absolutely love this boat. Like you, my wife accompanies me on the water (although she doesn't fish). The boat works extremely well for 2 people. I took it to Canada this past summer and my friend Larry and I fished in comfort for a whole week. Both of us are big guys so this is important. The Merc pushes the boat with a full load at about 35 mph. Plenty fast for me. It also sips fuel.

I also considered the 1765 Explorer. I chose the Angler because I thought the storage was better. I wanted a 24 volt trolling system and the Explorer front battery compartment was only big enough for one battery. I also like the wider gunnels on the Angler. There have been some great improvements for 2002. Things like interior lighting, wider beam and the IPS hull make the Angler an even better choice. I almost wish I had waited another year.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Fred

[Jenn]

Hi
Your comment is so true....about the more you read the more confused you get!!! That happens so often with learning new info out there! Anyway... You did mention hitting some rougher water out there, so I'd agree with the suggestion of the 1775 pro-v tiller model. I didn't run that as a tiller; I had a console; but I have a friend who ran it as a tiller and he liked it.
Comparing the hulls of the boats you mentioned, only the Angler (and the pro-v) has the IPS hull; the Alaskan and Explorers are Lund's "true" V-hulls. I think the IPS hull is awesome and really noticed the difference between having it and not having it on previous Lunds...you really pop out of the hole fast and are riding higher and faster than without the IPS hull. If you take a look at the new 2002 catalog (or even the 2001), the advantage of the IPS hull is outlined nicely in the beginning of it.
Then there is notable difference in size of the gas tanks of the boats you mentioned....the angler has a 32 gallon tank, the alaskan a 27 gallon tank, and the explorer a 19 gallon tank. That may be something to conside, and you'd know best for that based on how far you run on your fishing trips...noting that rougher water will use more gas too.
Then there's speed...the angler and alaskan can max out with an 80 hp tiller...and the explorer a 50 hp tiller.
As for the dealer near you not having many tillers...hop in the angler, explorer, and alaskan anyway even though they may not be tillers. You're just going to have a space difference between those and the tillers; but the rest will be the same....so you can really compare what features you do or do not like.
I personally run a Pro-V because I know I am going to be pounding rough water a lot, and I feel that is the best boat for my needs. (plus I like the setup inside!) Well, hopefully with thinking of the trips you have in mind and the water/weather conditions you may be in, and piecing that together with the features of the different boats...you will be able to decide on which boat will best suit your needs. Feel free to email or post again if you have more or other questions!
Good luck!
~Jenn

[s.f.]

consistently, over many years of helping people with boat choices at the shows, i find the one mistake they make is they are too conservative. so, if you can swing it, buy at least one step bigger and better than you think you need. that way you won't be back two years later second guessing yourself....and spending more money. do it right the first time because you will never wear out a lund. the prov's are the toughest of the bunch and are decked out with every bell and whistle you need. great all 'round boat. the 1700
angler would be the next choice. you gotta have a lund!

[Eyez]

I was in a similar situation about a year ago, and considered the same 3 boats you are. I didn't end up buying one of them because a good deal came along on a different brand, but I had reached a few conclusions about the models you mentioned. The 1775 Pro-V is a little more expensive than the Angler, but it also has options that you won't find on the other models. You need to decide how bad you want those options. I would stay away from a 16 foot boat if you're intending to fish big water ever, the cost of going a foot bigger, even only to the 17 angler would be well worth it, especially with your wife along -- which brings up the other option, the 20 alaskan. It's a little narrow, but it's tough as nails, and it's a heck of alot of boat for the money. The 20' alaskan will fish bigger than any of the other models you mentioned, so consider it if you like lots of floorspace, or ever intend to have more than 2 or 3 people in the boat.


Just a few thoughts, hope it helps.

Eyez

[Dodge1]

The 20' Alaskan would be my choice.

[scottcny]

ajt,
By the water you describe it sounds like you fish the finger lakes region in central NY, I'm from Syracuse and fish many of the same areas. I run an older 16' Lund Alasken and it handles those finger lakes pretty good when they start to roll with a north or south wind. If I was in the market I would be lookin at either the 1650 or 1750 explorer. this boat is layed out well, will provide stability and with the max hp. you should move pretty well. Plus the size is just right for when your by your self, anything larger can be tough at the launch ramp when your alone.

Let me know how you have been doing this fall, we can trade some tips and stories if you like. Scott_Davison@suth.com

[Pherris]

I run an Explorer 1675. It offers some advantages over the 1650. You get the IPS hull and a 27 gallon tank. Very stable boat with the 90" beam.

[rg]

Ditto on the Alaskan!!!

[THUMPER]

They are all good boats. You are fishing some big water there. I would opt for the Alaskan. Check your interior depth of the boats before you buy. I find some of the lunds to be very shallow in their interior depth. Makes for a scary ride.

[NC]

Any boat you buy will seem much bigger than the 14ft you are running now. I think the Explorer 1675 is a great boat, but if you are fishing big water you may want the weight of the Angler. You are right with the 4-stroke as well. I wouldn't put the Alaskan in the same catagory as those other boats though, too long and narrow which makes negotiating big water tough at times.
Good luck!